Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.applications
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!ubc-cs!unixg.ubc.ca!cheddar.ucs.ubc.ca!ewong
From: ewong@cheddar.ucs.ubc.ca (Eldon Wong)
Subject: Re: Anyone seen Amiga GhostScript???
Message-ID: <1991May27.154617.25508@unixg.ubc.ca>
Keywords: PostScript
Sender: ewong@cheddar.ucs.ubc.ca (Eldon Wong) 
Nntp-Posting-Host: cheddar.ucs.ubc.ca
Organization: Computing Services, University of British Columbia
References: <1991May27.022940.14707@watdragon.waterloo.edu>
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 27 May 1991 15:46:17 GMT

In article <1991May27.022940.14707@watdragon.waterloo.edu> bwhemphill@rose.uwaterloo.ca (Barry Hemphill) writes:
>	I've seen somewhere mention of a Postscript interpreter called
>Ghostscript.  I know there is at least an MS-DOS version and I think a UNIX
>version as well.  Does anyone know of a version of Ghostscript (or something
>similar) for the Amiga??  I decided my project for the summer would be to 
>write a PostScript driver for my Roland PR1012 9-pin printer because it has
>a 240x216 dpi mode (no kidding - all Epson 9-pin compatibles should, just no
>one ever writes anything to use the mode; it is excruciatingly slow).  If
>anyone could mail me an ftp site where I could find it, it would be great.
>Failing that, if anyone knows an ftp site with another version of Ghostscript
>(ie MSDOS), I would appreciate hearing about that as the source could be
>really usefull and I do have access to networked IBM 386's with LaserJetIII's
>at school (but I want to be able to say I have a PostScript compatible printer
>that's worth about $100).
>
>I can recieve mail at bwhemphill@rose.uw.edu
>		  or  bwhemphill@lotus.uw.edu
>
>Thanks in advance for any help, and anyone who thinks they can drop me a
>usefull comment or two, please feel free.
>
>						Thanks,
>						Barry
>

The product that you are referring to is called GoScript, not GhostScript (FYI).
It takes a postscript file that has been printed to a file and interprets it,
then it sends it to any dot matrix or laser printer and gives you postscript-
like output.  It is fairly good on laser printers (HP, etc.) and is reasonable
on 9-pin dot matrix printers.  What is unbearable is the speed.  It prints very,very, very slow.  For one page of text and graphics it can take up to 30 min.
If you do not tend to print a lot of stuff, it is good.  Oh yeah, watch out if
you plan to print graphics with a lot of black in it (ie. black background); it
will destroy you paper if it is not of good bond.

The product for the Amiga that does this is called PixelScript.  It is a 
commercial piece of software.  I think there is a package called Post on an
ftp site somewhere (ab20?) that may do the same thing.  I haven't used it so
if someone has, can they clarify it for me?  Just remember, no matter which
interpreter you get, be prepared to do a lot of waiting for your output if you
use the 9-pin printer.

Eldon Wong

